What does this research mean for the field?

In a survey of 1,961 pregnant women, 69.5% were sedentary, 62% were obese/overweight, and 38% reported stress, highlighting high rates of cardiovascular risk factors. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among pregnant women in a middle-income country and explore their associations with age and socioeconomic variables.

February 8, 2026

Cardiovascular risk factors profiles of pregnant women in a middle income country

Key Result

Pregnant women in a Caribbean middle-income country had high rates of obesity/overweight (62%), sedentarism (69.5%), and stress (38%), linked to low socioeconomic status.

Key Points

This study aims to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among pregnant women in a middle-income country and explore their associations with age and socioeconomic variables.
Administered cross-sectional survey to 1,961 pregnant outpatients across 10 tertiary care obstetric hospitals.
Assessed cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, dyslipidemia, and smoking.
Participants stratified by age, education, and income levels.
Performed statistical analyses using chi-square tests and logistic regression.
Median age of participants was 26 years; 25% were adolescents aged 13-21 years.
Notable risk factors included smoking (7.2%), hypertension (7%), preeclampsia/eclampsia (6%), and diabetes mellitus (2%), particularly among older women.
High rates of sedentarism (69.5%), obesity/overweight (62%), and stress (38%) were reported, exceeding national averages.

Structured PICO

Population

1,961 pregnant outpatients cared for in 10 of the 15 tertiary care obstetric hospitals in a middle-income Caribbean nation, median age 26, 25% adolescents.

Outcome

Occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and pregnancy-specific CVRF (SCVRF) and their association with age and socioeconomical variables

There is a high prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular and pregnancy-specific risk factors among pregnant women in a Caribbean nation, which are strongly associated with lower socioeconomic status and education.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Abstract Background Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) impact maternal health outcomes yet, data on their prevalence among pregnant women in Latin America are scarce. We aimed to determine their occurrence and that of pregnancy-specific CVRF (SCVRF) in a middle income country and evaluate their association with age and socioeconomical variables. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered by trained staff July - September 2024 to 1,961 pregnant outpatients cared for in 10 of the 15 tertiary care obstetric hospitals in the country. CVRF assessed: hypertension (HTN), DM, obesity, dyslipidemia, sedentarism, smoking, and self-reported stress; SCVRF: preeclampsia/eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and recurrent abortions. Participants were stratified by age, educational level completed and reported income. Statistical analyses included chi-square and logistic regression. Results Median age was 26 (13-48) yrs., 25% adolescents (defined as 13-21 yrs.). Smoking (7.2%) 13-21 yrs, OR 1.91 p0.009, HTN (7%) 31- 48 yrs, OR 5.21 p 0.001, preeclampsia/eclampsia (6%) 31-48 yrs, OR 4.81 p0.001, and DM (2%) 31- 48 yrs, OR 3.25 p 0.02 were also associated with lower education/income. Overall rates of sedentarism were 69.5%, obesity/overweigh 62%, and stress 38%, all higher than reported nationally (see table). Conclusion These data underscore unacceptable rates of modifiable CVRF and SCVRF among pregnant women in a Caribbean nation with significant associations present in lower socioeconomic status/education groups. Clinical implications: if confirmed in larger studies, efforts towards improving public health interventions may ultimately impact maternal health outcomes in Latin America.

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